Outside a church in his hometown of Glen Cove, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi officially announced Saturday that he is running for governor of New York.

The 43-year-old Democrat challenged state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer for the nomination. Suozzi pledged to take back Albany from special interest groups and make it work for the people. He promised to increase educational funding, lower property taxes and expand affordable housing. To win the nomination, Suozzi will have to upset the better-financed and better-known Spitzer. Spitzer has been elected statewide twice and has the backing of the party establishment.

State Democratic leaders reportedly plan to block Suozzi from getting enough votes at the party's nominating convention.